Apparatus for assembling curved skin block frames of a hull and a method therefor

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for assembling curved skin block frames of a hull, which comprises (1) sets of oppositely disposed devices for positioning slotted transverse reinforcing members which have a transverse member clamping mechanism for holding the transverse members near both ends thereof in such a manner that the slots of the transverse members face downwardly and so as to position several transverse members therebetween, a transverse member supporting stool, a mechanism for adjusting the oblique angles of the transverse members, and a mechanism for adjusting the positions of the elevational direction, longitudinal direction and transverse direction of the transverse members; and (2) a device for positioning longitudinal reinforcing members, which comprises a longitudinal member clamping device for carrying longitudinal members corresponding to the slots of the transverse members, positioned previously in tentative longitudinal member positions, so as to insert the longitudinal members from the underside of the transverse members into the slots thereof, a longitudinal member supporting stool, a mechanism for adjusting the oblique angle of the transverse direction of the longitudinal members, a mechanism for adjusting the oblique angle of the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal members, a mechanism for adjusting the position of the longitudinal direction by lifting the longitudinal members, and an assembly for carrying the longitudinal members from the tentative longitudinal member positions to the slot positions; and a method therefor.

United States Patent [191 Terai [451 Sept. 18, 1973 APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING CURVED SKIN BLOCK FRAMES OF A HULL AND A METHOD THEREFOR [75] Inventor: Kiyoshi Terai, Ashiya-shi, Hyogo,

Japan [73] Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Hyogo, Japan 221 Filed: Mar. 8, 1971 '21 Appl. No.: 122,014

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 7, 1970 Japan 45/19546 [52] US. Cl. 114/65 R, 114/77 R, 114/79 W, 29/4713, 29/200 P- [Sl] Int. Cl B63b 3/18 [58] Field of Search 114/65, 77, 79, 79 W;

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,644,418 7/1953 Allegro 114/79 W 3,507,024 4/1970 Powers et al. 29/430 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 188,854 1/1966 U.S.S.R 114/65 R Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant Examiner-E. R. Kazenske AttorneySughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & Macpeak [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for assembling curved skin block frames of a hull, which comprises (1) sets of oppositely disposed devices for positioning slotted transverse reinforcing members which have a transverse member clamping mechanism for holding the transverse members near both ends thereof in such a manner that the slots of the transverse members face downwardly and so as to position several transverse members therebetween, a transverse member supporting stool, a mechanism for adjusting the oblique angles of the transverse members, and a mechanism for adjusting the positions of the elevational direction, longitudinal direction and transverse direction of the transverse members; and (2) a device for positioning longitudinal reinforcing members, which comprises a longitudinal member clamping device for carrying longitudinal members corresponding to the slots of the transverse members, positioned previously in tentative longitudinal member positions, so as to insert the longitudinal members from the underside of the transverse members into the slots thereof, a longitudinal member supporting stool, a mechanism for adjusting the oblique angle of the transverse direction of the longitudinal members, a mechanism for adjusting the oblique angle of the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal members, a mechanism for adjusting the position of the longitudinal direction by .lifting the longitudinal members, and an assembly for carrying the longitudinal members from the tentative longitudinal member positions to the slot positions; and a method therefor.

2 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures PATENIEnsmslsvs 3.759207 sum 1 or 5 FIG. I0 PRIOR ART FIG. lb

I l l l l l 'I'II I FIG. Id

a FlG.If

FIG

PATENTEB SEN 81975 SHEEI 2 0F 5 PATENTEI] SEP] 81973 SHEET 3 OF 5 PATENTED SEP] 8 I973 llb PATENTED SEF] 8 I975 SHEET 5 0F 5 FIG.60

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING CURVED SKIN BLOCK FRAMES OF A HULL AND A METHOD THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for assembling curved skin block frames of a hull in a hull block building system, and more particularly to improvements in the apparatus for efficiently assembling the curved skin block frames of the hull, and a method therefor.

I-Ieretofore, when the curved skin blocks or outside plating blocks are assembled, several sheets of skins 3 are disposed on a number of standing pillar, curved plane supporting tools 2 on an assembling stool l of the type shown, for example, in FIGS. la to If, so as to connect the skins to form an integral broad curved skin 4. Tripping members 5 and 6 for the skin reinforcing members are mounted on the skin 4, and then longitudinal reinforcing members 7 are inserted in substantially parallel relation between the sets of opposite tripping members 5 by carrying means such as a crane. Thereafter, transverse reinforcing members 8 are inserted between the sets of opposite tripping members 6 and are secured to the members 7 and skin 4 to form a reinforcing block 9 integral with the skin.

The conventional manner of positioning the transverse reinforcing members will now be described in a curved skin block assembling method with reference to FIG. 2. The longitudinal members 7 are generally assembled at inclinations with respect to the horizontal plane in such a manner that the longitudinal members are differently inclined so that the slots 10 formed in the transverse members 8 are obliquely disposed in a manner that does not completely correspond with the inclination of the respective longitudinal members. Accordingly, when the transverse members 8 are positioned, the slots 10 of the transverse members 8 are not readily engaged correspondingly with the respective longitudinal members 7 when the members 8 are supported by a crane (not shown). Therefore, when the longitudinal members 7 are tentatively positioned, and the intervals between opposite tripping members 5 are properly provided, so that the longitudinal members 7 are movable within the interval, the operator can move the longitudinal members 7 one-by-one to the proper position by using tools such as, for example, a hammer. Accordingly, it takes much effort and time to engage in such complicated work. Since it is also necessary to install and remove a number of tripping members for tentatively positioning the longitudinal and transverse members 7 and 8, these operations also require a great deal of work and time thereby introducing many disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention contemplates the elimination of the aforementioned disadvantages of the conventional apparatus and the provision of a novel and improved apparatus for assembling curved skin block frames of a hull.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for assembling curved skin block frames ofa hull, which may readily position the longitudinal and transverse reinforcing members to facilitate the positioning operations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for assembling curvedskin block frames of a hull, which may readily assemble reinforcing members of the cross-beam structure to mechanize the assembling operations.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for assembling curved skin block frames ofa hull which comprises (1 sets of opposite disposed devices for positioning the transverse reinforcing members, which have a transverse member clamping mechanism for holding the transverse members near both ends thereof in such a manner that the slots thereof face downwardly and so as to position several transverse members therebetween, a transverse member supporting stool, a mechanism for adjusting the oblique angles of the transverse members, and a mechanism for adjusting the elevational direction, longitudinal direction and transverse direction of the transverse members; and (2) a device for positioning the longitudinal members, comprising a longitudinal member clamping device for carrying longitudinal members corresponding to the slots of the transverse members, positioned previously in tentative longitudinal member positions, toward the underside of the transverse members into the slots thereof, a longitudinal member supporting stool, a mechanism for adjusting the oblique angle of the transverse direction of the longitudinal members, a mechanism for adjusting the oblique angle of the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal members, a mechanism for adjusting the position of the longitudinal direction by lifting the longitudinal members, and an assembly for carrying the longitudinal members from the tentative longitudinal member positions to the slot positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. la to lfare schematic perspective views of the respective assembling steps of the conventional curved skin block assembling process;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the step of positioning the transverse reinforcing members in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3a to 3i are schematic perspective views of the assembling steps of one embodiment of the curved skin block assembling process according to the present invention;

FIGS. 4a to 4d are front and side views of the assembling steps of the present invention;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are front and side views, respectively, of the main steps of the present invention for positioning the transverse reinforcing members; and

FIGS. 6a'and 6b are front and side views of the main steps of the present invention for positioning the longitudinal reinforcing members.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to FIGS. 3a to 31, which show the assembling steps of one embodiment of the curved skin block assembling process in accordance with the present invention. The assembling process of the curved skin block frames of a hull of this invention comprises the steps of positioning devices 11 for positioning of the transverse reinforcing members 8, and then aligning longitudinal reinforcing members 7 in such a manner that devices 12 for tentatively positioning the longitudinal members 7 are attached to a faceplate thereto and faced upwardly. Thereafter, the transverse members 8 are inserted into the devices 11 so that the slotted sides of the transverse members 8 face downwardly and so as to position several transverse members 8 in substantially parallel relation to each other by adjusting the inclination of the transverse members 8, and the longitudinal members 7 tentatively positioned beneath the transverse members 8 are lifted one by one so as to insert the longitudinal members 7 into the slots of the transverse members 8 to assemble skin reinforcing assembly 13 (see FlG. 3e) separately from the skin. Finally, the reinforcing assembly 13 is moved onto the skin 4 assembled by another stool so as to unite it therewith in a unitary construction 9 (see FIG. 31').

The apparatus for positioning the longitudinal members 7 will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4a to 4d. Reference numerals l1 illustrate the devices for positioning the transverse members 8 by supporting the transverse members 8 near both ends thereof to hold them at a certain height above the ground. The numerals 12 identify devices attached to a faceplate for tentatively positioning the longitudinal members 7. The positions of the members 7 correspond to the positions of the slots of the transverse members 8. The device 15 positions the longitudinal members 7, tentatively positioned by the devices 12, so as to lift them one-by-one from underside of the transverse members 8 and to insert them into corresponding slots 10 of the transverse members 8.

The tentative attachment and welding of the transverse and longitudinal members 8, 7 after positioning of the longitudinal members 7, are conducted by a device (not shown) for tentatively attaching or welding immediately after the longitudinal members are positioned in the manner heretofore described. As an illustrative example, an operator may ride on a working stool (not shown) that is capable of moving beneath the positioned longitudinal members 7 'so as to first tentatively attach them and to thereafter weld them to the transverse members 8.

Referring now to FIGS. 5a and 5b, which show the main steps of the present invention in the device for positioning the transverse members 8 the device comprises sets of opposing devices 11 for holding each transverse member 8 near the ends thereof.

Reference numeral 110 illustrates a mechanism for adjusting the position in the transverse direction of each transverse member 8, which is driven on wheels 11b, for example, through a speed reduction or change motor (not shown) along guide rails llc extending in a transverse direction. The positioning of the mechanism is conducted by determining in advance the length of each transverse member 8 (the distance between the transverse member supporting points 11d at both ends of each transverse member) and by matching the dimensions thereof to a scale (not shown) parallel with the guide rails.

Numeral lle shows a mechanism similar to the mechanism 11a, for adjusting the position in the longitudinal direction of each transverse member 8 driven on wheels 11f, for example, by a speed reduction or change motor (not shown) along the guide rails 11g extending in the longitudinal direction. The operation of the mechanism lie is also conducted by previously determining the position of each transverse member with respect to the other transverse members so as to adjust them by observing a scale (not shown) provided parallel with the guide rails 11g.

11h illustrates a mechanism for adjusting the position in the elevational direction of the transverse member supporting points so as to move elevationally the supporting points by means of, for example, the extension and contraction of a hydraulic ram or rotation of polygonal screw lli. llj shows a cylinder for guiding elevationally. The elevational height of each transverse member is adjusted by previously determining the height of the transverse member supporting points and by observing a scale (not shown) in the elevational direction.

11k illustrates a mechanism for adjusting the oblique angle of each transverse member 8, for example, in such a manner that a handle 11! is turned to rotate a worm wheel llni through a work gear 11m so as to incline the transverse member supporting stool lle integrally connected to the rotary shaft of the worm wheel, lln. The angle is adjusted by observing a scale (not shown) attached thereto. 11p shows a transverse member clamping device so as to clamp the transverse member 8 by a hydraulic ram after its positioning.

It should be understood from the foregoing description that instead of manually positioning each trans verse member 8 by observing the scales in the above embodiment, the values previously calculated may be used for automatically positioning members by numerical control or a remote control system, with numerical information such as a punch tape or the like, so that the step of adjusting by observing the scale may be omitted so as to accurately and automatically position the members 8.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 60 and 6b which show the main steps of the present invention in a device for positioning the longitudinal members 7.

Reference numeral 15a identifies a carriage for moving the longitudinal members 7 one-by-one from the longitudinal member tentative positioning devices 12 to the slots of the transverse members 8 corresponding thereto. The numeral 15b identifies a mechanism for elevationally moving each longitudinal member 7 and is driven elevationally by the rotation of the polygonal screw 15d driven, for example, by a speed reduction or change motor (not shown) along the guide rails 150. The numeral [5e identifies a mechanism for inclining each longitudinal member 7 lifted upwardly in the longitudinal direction by means of the extension or contraction of the hydraulic ram 15g connected at both ends thereof by, for example, a pin joint at the center of the brackets 15f. The numeral 15h identifies a longitudinal member-holding stool having a longitudinal member clamping device 151' using a hydraulic ram for clamping each longitudinal member 7 and for inclining the longitudinal member-supporting stool integral with the worm wheel by means of the rotation of the worm wheel k through the worm gear 15j driven, for exam ple, by a speed reduction or change motor (not shown) to incline the longitudinal member in the transverse direction. These positioning controls may be accomplished by an operator by observing the relative positions of the transverse and longitudinal members.

Though there is considered, for example, a process for assembling a skin reinforcing assembly by the steps of assembling the skin reinforcing assembly separate from the skin, and then connecting them, for example,

by the steps of previously positioning the longitudinal members and inserting the transverse members thereinto, in addition to the process of the present invention, it has disadvantages of complicated control with the necessity of controlling continuously the positions of the longitudinal members and the transverse members, in accordance with the movement of the transverse members to the position in the transverse direction and the oblique angle in the transverse direction of the longitudinal members, when the transverse members are inserted, because of different angles of the respective longitudinal members in such a manner as previously described that the longitudinal members are generally assembled to have an oblique angle with respect to the horizontal in the transverse direction.

Though there is also considered a process for previously positioning the transverse members, having the steps of positioning the transverse members with the slots facing upwardly, and inserting the longitudinal members downwardly in the slots in such a manner that the faceplate side thereof is downwardly directed, through carrying means such as crane, it requires an expensive facility owing to thenecessity of inverting the assembled reinforcing assembly when the separately assembled skin is connected thereto and of enlarging the lift of the reversing crane, for example, and the height of the roof of the housing therefor.

The process for inserting the longitudinal members from upper sides of the transverse members, requires carrying members such as crane or the like for carrying the longitudinal members, and accordingly the longitudinal members must be positioned one-by-one, with the result that it is impossible to position a plurality of longitudinal members simultaneously, thereby requiring a long operating time.

It should be understood from the foregoing description that, according to the present invention, the disposition, positioning and welding of the reinforcing members may be mechanized even in assembling the curved skin block of complicated curved structures and to install them so that the reinforcing member of crossbeam structures is inclined. Thus, effort is greatly saved and productivity thereof is also greatly improved in comparison with the conventional methods.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for assembling curved skin block frames of a hull from a plurality of slotted transverse reinforcing members and a plurality ofintersecting longitudinal reinforcing members, comprising a. a first set of opposed devices for positioning said slotted transverse reinforcing members having means for holding said transverse members near both ends thereof with the slotted side of said transverse members facing downwardly, means for adjusting the oblique angle of said transverse members, and means for adjusting the position of said transverse members in the elevational, longitudinal, and transverse directions,

b. a second set of devices for tentatively positioning said longitudinal reinforcing members to correspond to the positions of the slots in said transverse reinforcing member; and

c. a third set of devices for inserting said longitudinal reinforcing members into the slots in said transverse reinforcing members having means for lifting said longitudinal members from their preliminary positions beneath said transverse members into positions corresponding to the slots of said transverse members, means for adjusting the position of said longitudinal members in the transverse direction, and means for adjusting the inclination of said longitudinal members in the longitudinal and transverse direction.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second set of devices are furthermore adapted to support a plurality of curved skin blocks while said curved skin blocks are being assembled into a unitary assembly for subsequent connection to a second assembly composed of said slotted transverse reinforcing members and said longitudinal reinforcing members. 

1. Apparatus for assembling curved skin block frames of a hull from a plurality of slotted transverse reinforcing members and a plurality of intersecting longitudinal reinforcing members, comprising a. a first set of opposed devices for positioning said slotted transverse reinforcing members having means for holding said transverse members near both ends thereof with the slotted side of said transverse members facing downwardly, means for adjusting the oblique angle of said transverse members, and means for adjusting the position of said transverse members in the elevational, longitudinal, and transverse directions, b. a second set of devices for tentatively positioning said longitudinal reinforcing members to correspond to the positions of the slots in said transverse reinforcing member; and c. a third set of devices for inserting said longitudinal reinforcing members into the slots in said transverse reinforcing members having means for lifting said longitudinal members from their preliminary positions beneath said transverse members into positions corresponding to the slots of said transverse members, means for adjusting the position of said longitudinal members in the transverse direction, and means for adjusting the inclination of said longitudinal members in the longitudinal and transverse direction.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second set of devices are furthermore adapted to support a plurality of curved skin blocks while said curved skin blocks are being assembled into a unitary assembly for subsequent connection to a second assembly composed of said slotted transverse reinforcing members and said longitudinal reinforcing members. 